







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| It's £135 per week! | |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | |
| What’s their name? | |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | |
| What do you expect English teachers to look like? | |
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | |
| Bear hates being at a vet, too. | |
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| Yes, that's okay, we are just about to leave. | |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | |
| No, but that's what I feel like having... | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |